Celtic Collapse While Forest Stay Unbeaten in Europa League Drama
Celtic’s Nightmare in Denmark
Celtic’s European dreams took a major hit in Denmark as they were crushed 3-1 by Midtjylland in a painful night for Martin O’Neill’s side. The home team stunned the Scottish champions with three goals in just eight minutes, leaving the visitors chasing shadows in Jutland.
Celtic started brightly when Johnny Kenny tested keeper Elias Rafn Olafsson inside the first minute, but that was the only real threat they posed for a long time. Midtjylland quickly took control as Kasper Schmeichel was forced into several saves before finally being beaten.
Martin Erlic opened the scoring after Celtic failed to clear a corner, and just two minutes later Mikel Gogorza’s low drive made it 2-0. Things went from bad to worse when Djú curled in a third before half-time, his 18th goal of the season.
Substitute Callum Osmand gave Celtic a brief moment of hope when he won a penalty that Reo Hatate converted. But the joy turned to despair as Osmand was stretchered off in tears with what looked like a hamstring injury.
It was a miserable evening for Celtic, who must now win their remaining games to keep their Europa League campaign alive.
Forest Fight for a Point in Austria
While Celtic suffered, Nottingham Forest continued their solid European run with a goalless draw away at Sturm Graz. Sean Dyche’s team remain unbeaten on the road in the Europa League and kept another clean sheet.
Forest had the better of the first half but missed a golden chance when Morgan Gibbs-White’s penalty was saved by Oliver Christensen. Sturm Graz had a goal ruled out for offside before half-time, and the second half became a tight, scrappy battle.
In stoppage time, Nicolás Domínguez came inches from winning it for Forest when his thunderous shot hit the crossbar. Despite the missed chances, Dyche’s men will be satisfied to take a point back to England.
Both Celtic and Forest leave Europe with very different emotions — one reeling from a collapse, the other proud of their resilience.
